What torque and horsepower mean for cars

[bfrank1972]

I thought I explained it well enough in laymen's terms - are there any more questions/confusion?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by bfrank1972

I thought I explained it well enough in laymen's terms - are there any more questions/confusion?

You explained it perfectly spot on. It just isn't what he wants to believe so it can't be correct.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Johnny Horsepower

Clearly the performance is going to be very different at 70 hp vs 170 hp. So torque is part of the story, but power is the whole story.

I agree with this. Torque by itself doesn't tell you anything, but power tells you a lot. Torque at the engine by itself tells you nothing about torque at the rear wheels. But *power* at the engine tells you all about power at the rear wheels, it's engine power minus losses, or about 85-88% of power at the flywheel.

Originally Posted by Johnny Horsepower

This article mentions that a = F/m. But wouldn't F be the car's net force vector in the forward direction rather than the twisting force at the engine or wheels? Those are different things; they don't even use the same units.

Power = torque * rpm
Power also = force * speed.

The thrust force at the rear wheels acting to accelerate the car is just power at the wheels divided by speed.

1 horsepower = 550 ft-lb/second

If a car is making 200hp at the flywheel and is traveling at 60mph (88 ft/sec), then thrust force at the wheels is about:
0.85 * 200hp * (550 ft-lb/second per hp) divided by 88 ft/sec
= 1062 lb

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ZDan

I agree with this. Torque by itself doesn't tell you anything, but power tells you a lot. Torque at the engine by itself tells you nothing about torque at the rear wheels. But *power* at the engine tells you all about power at the rear wheels, it's engine power minus losses, or about 85-88% of power at the flywheel. Now you are talking IHP vs BHP vs EHP and really messing with his head.

HORSE Power = torque * rpm/5252
Power also = force * speed.

The thrust force at the rear wheels acting to accelerate the car is just power at the wheels divided by speed.

1 horsepower = 550 ft-lb/second

If a car is making 200hp at the flywheel and is traveling at 60mph (88 ft/sec), then thrust force at the wheels is about:
0.85 * 200hp * (550 ft-lb/second per hp) divided by 88 ft/sec
= 1062 lb

FIFY
This may be what is causing all the confusion.
Maybe people just need to use watts as the measurement to avoid mixing HP with power.

[LancePower]

I just like how in Japan they say "torques" plural.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by LancePower

I just like how in Japan they say "torques" plural.

I hate that. I hate even more that it became popular.


Now I hate myself for posting in this troll thread.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I hate that. I hate even more that it became popular.


Now I hate myself for posting in this troll thread.

Are we talking male or female torques?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I hate that. I hate even more that it became popular.


Now I hate myself for posting in this troll thread.

I don’t know but I am having a blast.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Are we talking male or female torques?

You choose.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

You choose.



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Damnit I thought we were talking aboot toques eh

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Damnit I thought we were talking aboot toques eh

Had to research. Much to my disappointment when looking at pics the first 10 or so images were pictures of beanies.

[Captain Snooze]

Toque this

[Captain Snooze]

^
I guess it's relevant.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Had to research. Much to my disappointment when looking at pics the first 10 or so images were pictures of beanies.

That would be those damned Americians bastardizing the holy sanctity of the one true toque.